34 FARM STAY A Unique In 2022, Kitchwin Hills co-founder and director Steve Brown partnered with Libby and Jarrod Bowditch to open the gates of the horse stud and share the beautiful property with the public by offering a unique Thoroughbred farm stay experience. “The Barn Scone” was born, designed by Sydney architect Ben Shaw of the Brompton Group in conjunction with interior designer Libby Bowditch, it was built by Upper Hunter Valley legend Steve Tilse of Tilse Building with assistance from Brad Wall of Wallbuilt Residential. Manager of The Barn Mariah Rawson said horse studs have always been quite exclusive, so it’s wonderful to be able to welcome the public to stay. “It’s always been exclusive, unless you know someone or are a client of a stud, you never really get the experience of going on a Thoroughbred horse stud, so this way you can stay for a mid-week or weekend getaway, go on a stud tour and see the stallions and when it’s fouling season you can see all of the gorgeous fouls. “The Barn Scone was mentioned in the “Top 25 Australian Escapes in 2023” by the Australian Financial Review and we have amazing reviews and coverage. “As soon as you get out here to The Barn Scone you forget there are people around you. It’s so secluded looking out over the Valley and the horses, it’s amazing. “It can sleep a maximum of 14 people. It’s spread over three bedrooms; we’ve got a King bed and two Queen beds and a bunk room that can sleep eight. It has large, high-pitched ceilings with a deck and a pool that looks out over the stud and the Valley.” There’s a large kitchen (with two dishwashers), living room and rumpus room, a mud room, internal gas fire, outdoor fireplace, Starlink Wi-Fi, a large outdoor deck area with Sonos sound systems, an eight-set outdoor suite and table, a gas barbecue and a swimming pool that overlooks the beautiful Kitchwin Hills. The accommodation is all self-catered but everything else is provided. Mariah said the accommodation is the perfect accompaniment to everything the Upper Hunter’s other attractions. “We want to showcase everything the region has to offer. I don’t think many people realise just how much there is to do in the Upper Hunter. “If you are interested in the horse industry, and even if you aren’t, there’s so much to do. You have the polo fields, horse studs, Scone Race Club, you can drive to Ellerston, Gundy is renowned for its mountain bike and walking trails, we’ve also partnered up with the Linga Longa pub who will run their courtesy bus out to The Barn Scone and pick you up and take you to do dinner and home again. “We’re just doing tours of Kitchwin Hills for now, but we have approached Craig Benjamin from “Upper Hunter Valley Tours” who is doing the thoroughbred tours about picking people up from The Barn Scone and heading out to see other horse studs. “There is so much to do in the Upper Hunter. It’s so important we work with everyone in the region so we can offer something for everyone,” said Mariah. www.thebarnscone.com.au Among the rolling hills and limestone enriched pastures of the Isis Valley lies Kitchwin Hills Stud. The horse stud was originally purchased by Ray and Di Brown in 1993 and has been home to multiple Group 1 winners, stakes horses, and group winners of prestigious races including the Melbourne Cup, The Everest, Magic Million 2YO and 3YO races and many more.
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